CRISPR/Cas12a-Powered EC/FL Dual-Mode Controlled-Release Homogeneous Biosensor for Ultrasensitive and Cross-Validated Detection of Messenger Ribonucleic Acid

Anal Chem. 2023 Aug 15;95(32):12122-12130. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02335. Epub 2023 Aug 1.

Abstract

Accurate detection of cancer-associated mRNAs is beneficial to early diagnosis and potential treatment of cancer. Herein, for the first time, we developed a novel CRISPR/Cas12a-powered electrochemical/fluorescent (EC/FL) dual-mode controlled-release homogeneous biosensor for mRNA detection. A functionalized ssDNA P2-capped Fe3O4-NH2 loaded with methylene blue (P2@MB-Fe3O4-NH2) was synthesized as the signal probe, while survivin mRNA was chosen as the target RNA. In the presence of the target mRNA, the nicking endonuclease-mediated rolling circle amplification (NEM-RCA) was triggered to produce significant amounts of ssDNA, activating the collateral activity of Cas12a toward the surrounding single-stranded DNA. Thus, the ssDNA P1 completely complementary to ssDNA P2 was cleaved, resulting in that the ssDNA P2 bio-gate on Fe3O4-NH2 could not be opened due to electrostatic interactions. As a result, there was no or only a little MB in the supernatant after magnetic separation, and the measured EC/FL signal was exceedingly weak. On the contrary, the ssDNA P2 bio-gate was opened, enabling MB to be released into the supernatant, and generating an obvious EC/FL signal. Benefiting from the accuracy of EC/FL dual-mode cross-verification, high amplification efficiency, high specificity of NEM-RCA and CRISPR/Cas12a, and high loading of mesoporous Fe3O4-NH2 on signal molecules, the strategy shows aM-level sensitivity and single-base mismatch specificity. More importantly, the practical applicability of this dual-mode strategy was confirmed by mRNA quantification in complex serum environments and tumor cell lysates, providing a new way for developing a powerful disease diagnosis tool.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems* / genetics
  • Coloring Agents
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Endonucleases
  • RNA
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors

Substances

  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA
  • Coloring Agents
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Endonucleases
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors